Vision for SA
Targets and strategies
Download the factsheet
Case studies
Tell us your story
To be poor is not just to lack food, housing and health but to be deprived of the support and nurture of family and friends and the ability to engage actively with the life of one’s wider community.
An individual or a community’s socioeconomic and health status influence their level of participation, and as such, disadvantaged areas and groups experience less social and community interaction.
Individuals with low income and low education levels often report low levels of social participation. In addition, chronic health and disability restrict an individual’s mobility and ability to participate. Being poor is complicated, and it takes you out of the loop of a whole range of things most of us take for granted… being able to buy enough food (and therefore stay healthy); being able to get around the city easily when you need to; being able to see a doctor or dentist when you need it.
If you’re out of the loop, it’s called social exclusion, and currently nearly one quarter of South Australians live that life. This doesn’t impact just on them, but on every South Australian.
Communities that can work together and advocate for themselves not only produce tangible results for their members but experience a sense of well being and confidence and, importantly, strengthen their social capital.
Vision for SA
SACOSS seeks all South Australians to be embraced by the community, with equal opportunity for participation and belonging.
Targets and strategies
The Campaign’s targets and strategies to achieve its visions for South Australia are constantly being developed. The first development, entitled Building on the Blueprint and released in September 2005, can be downloaded here. It is to be read in conjunction with Extending Opportunity to All: a blueprint for the elimination of poverty in South Australia.
.
Case Studies
Craig and Marie’s story
Craig and Marie live in a Housing Trust house with their two young
children. Craig, a builder by trade, has been unable to work for five years due
to a motorcycle accident in which he lost his right arm and badly injured his
right leg. Marie has a part time job at the local supermarket. Between Marie’s
hours that extend late into the evenings and the family’s low income, they
rarely go out or entertain friends and a family holiday is out of the question.
submitted 18 march 2005
Vicki’s story
Elizabeth Royals Softball Club has taken great steps towards ensuring
low socio-economic groups in the Peachey Belt have access to recreational
competion at low cost. Last year, six softball teams ranging in age from 5
years to 65 years competed in the Central Districts Softball Association
competition. The players were from low income backgrounds (most on Centrelink
benefits).
We are happy to report that the Under 14 girls team were runners-up in the Grand Final; the D grade women's team made it to the finals; and the C grade women's team won the Grand Final. Three of our junior teams were formed through our partnership with Swallowcliffe Schools.
Our top priority as a club in the Peachey Belt is to ensure
that everybody who wants to play CAN PLAY. Our strategies include:
- Applying for grants to provide equipment at no cost to players;
- Absorbing the cost of fees for those players in desperate need e.g. A child
in a family of 6 or more siblings;
- Swallowcliffe Schools purchased the player's uniforms, allowing parents to
pay a $3 hire charge per season compared to a cost in excess of $100 per season
for other sports.
The past two years have seen a 200 per cent increase in the
amount of players from the "poor" area of Adelaide. We will be
working hard over the next three years to ensure children and women who can't
afford to play, will get to play.
submitted 17 may 2005
Alex’s story
I simply don’t have a spare cent for even the basic things like
clothes…our money is only spent on bills, food and petrol, and we need new
tyres on the car. I personally miss out on work social functions, but my kids
miss out the most because simple things like being able to be dropped off and
picked up at friend’s is virtually impossible as we only have limited petrol.
We live at Evanston Park - there is no public transport. The only outing I have is phoning a friend, but we can barely afford our monthly phone bill. We have the internet but will probably end up getting our phone cut off because we just can’t afford it, which will disadvantage my children further.
As you can see by the time of this email (5.30am), its just
another sleepless night worrying…it’s payday, how we are going to get through
this week?
submitted 28 may 2005
Tell us your story
Type your own story relating to Social Participation in the space below and click the Submit button, to contribute to our case studies file. If you fill in your name and contact details then we can get in touch with you to clarify any issues before your story goes on the website, but we will not give your details to anyone, and your story will remain anonymous with a different name listed on the website.